The East Cleveland Police Department held a news conference on Thursday to announce a charge has been filed in the homicide of a missing Warren man, Juvar King, whose body was found in East Cleveland in March.
According to Chief Kenneth Lundy, the homicide suspect has been identified as 28-year-old Nathaniel Crockett; he has been charged with one count of aggravated murder.
Police obtained an arrest warrant for Crockett, which was served earlier today when the suspect appeared at a pretrial hearing in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for an arson charge following his arrest earlier this year when the car King was driving was found set on fire.
Lundy said he was unable to provide details on what evidence connected Crockett to King’s death, saying that revealing it could compromise the investigation, as the department believes more individuals were involved and are still out there.
East Cleveland Interim Mayor Sandra Morgan gave her condolences to King's family and his sister, who attended the news conference.
"I know this has been a very difficult time for the family, and it only raises those emotions again at the arrest of the person who is allegedly responsible for this real tragedy here in East Cleveland," Morgan said. "I hope that it all works itself out, that we find all the perpetrators and they all face their music."
King's sister, Ida, spoke on behalf of her family.
Watch her remarks:
"I just want to let everyone know that this has been a long journey for my family and myself, and that we are seeking all the justice that we deserve, and anyone that is involved, we want our justice served."
Watch the full news conference:
King's death was ruled a homicide in May; his body was found in East Cleveland on March 17.
According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office, King's cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound to the head.
Watch our previous coverage below:
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On Feb. 4, a vehicle belonging to one of King's family members was found on fire in the 9300 block of Sherwood Road in Cleveland.
On Feb. 5, one of King's relatives called the Warren Police Department to report that he hadn't been heard from in over 24 hours.
On Feb. 20, Crockett was arrested and charged in connection with the vehicle's arson.
On March 17, King's body was found at an abandoned home on Chapman Avenue in East Cleveland.
RELATED: Warren father missing since February found dead in East Cleveland
Crockett is scheduled to appear in East Cleveland Municipal Court next week. He's currently being held in the Cuyahoga County Jail.
"Keep in mind this is an open ongoing investigation, there is lots more information to come; there are others that we believe are responsible," Lundy said. "This is the beginning in the right direction to bring some closure to the family of Mr. King."
